Wisconsin Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare

Transcription

1 Wisconsin Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare 2015 For more information on health insurance call: MEDIGAP HELPLINE This is a statewide toll-free number set up by the Wisconsin Board on Aging and Long Term Care and funded by the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance to answer questions about health insurance and other health care benefits for the elderly. It has no connection with any insurance company. State of Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance P.O. Box 7873 Madison, WI OCI s Web Site: oci.wi.gov PI-002 (R 12/2014)

2 The mission of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance... Leading the way in informing and protecting the public and responding to their insurance needs. If you have a specific complaint about your insurance, refer it first to the insurance company or agent involved. f you do not receive satisfactory answers, contact the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI). To file a complaint online or to print a complaint form: OCI s Web Site oci.wi.gov Phone (608) (In Madison) or (Statewide) Mailing Address Office of the Commissioner of Insurance P.O. Box 7873 Madison, WI Electronic Mail Please indicate your name, phone number, and address. Deaf, hearing, or speech impaired callers may reach OCI through WI TRS This guide is not a legal analysis of your rights under any insurance policy or government program. Your insurance policy, program rules, Wisconsin law, federal law, and court decisions establish your rights. You may want to consult an attorney for legal guidance about your specific rights. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) does not represent that the information in this publication is complete, accurate, or timely in all instances. All information is subject to change on a regular basis, without notice. Printed copies of publications are updated annually unless otherwise stated. In an effort to provide more current information, publications available on OCI s Web site are updated more frequently than the hard copy versions to reflect any necessary changes. Visit OCI s Web site at oci.wi.gov. 2

3 Table of Contents Page Introduction... 4 What is Medicare?... 5 What is Medicare Part D?... 8 Coverage Options Available When You Are Eligible for Medicare...11 What Are Wisconsin Mandated Benefits? Individual Policy Options Group Insurance Options Basic Benefits Included in Medicare Supplement Policies Basic Benefits Included in Medicare Select Policies Policy Description Basic Facts About Medicare Supplement Policies Your Grievance and Appeal Rights Prescription Drug Discount Options Consumer Buying Tips What if I Can t Afford a Medicare Supplement Policy? Limited Policies State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) Filing a Claim What if I Have Additional Questions or Complaints?

4 Introduction This booklet briefly describes the Medicare program. It also describes the health insurance available to those on Medicare. A list of companies that offer Medicare supplement insurance to Wisconsin Medicare beneficiaries is available on the OCI Web site at oci.wi.gov/pub_list/pi-010.htm. Our Web site also includes information and booklets regarding other types of consumer insurance policies, including long-term care insurance, life insurance, automobile, and homeowner s insurance. If you have questions or concerns about your insurance company or agent, write to the insurance company or agent involved. Keep a copy of the letter you write. If you do not receive satisfactory answers, please contact: Office of the Commissioner of Insurance P.O. Box 7873 Madison, WI (608) For information on filing a complaint with the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, you can: visit OCI s Web site at oci.wi.gov or call the Insurance Complaint Hotline (Statewide) (608) (Madison) Deaf, hearing, or speech impaired callers may reach OCI through WI TRS. 4

5 IMPORTANT NOTICE The state of Wisconsin has received a waiver from the federal A-N standardization regulations on Medicare supplement insurance. This means that policies sold in Wisconsin are somewhat different from those available in other states. This booklet describes only those policies that are available in Wisconsin. What is Medicare? Medicare is the health insurance program administered by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for people 65 years of age or older, people of any age with permanent kidney failure, and some disabled individuals under age 65. Although Medicare may pay a large part of your health care expenses, it does not pay for all of your expenses. Some services and medical supplies are not fully covered. A handbook titled Medicare & You is available free from any Social Security office. The handbook provides a detailed explanation of Medicare. Medicare is divided into four types of coverage, Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D. Medicare Part A Medicare Part A is commonly known as hospitalization insurance. For most people, Part A is premium-free, meaning that you do not have a monthly payment for the coverage. It pays your hospital bills and certain skilled nursing facility expenses. It also provides very limited coverage for skilled nursing care after hospitalization, rehabilitative services, home health care, and hospice care for the terminally ill. It does not pay for personal (custodial) care, such as help with eating, dressing, or moving around. Under Medicare Part A, a period of hospitalization is called a benefit period. A benefit period begins the day you are admitted into a hospital. It ends when you have been out of the hospital or a nursing facility for 60 consecutive days. If you are re-admitted within that 60 days, you are still in the same benefit period and would not pay another deductible. If you are admitted to a hospital after that benefit period ends, an entirely new benefit period begins and a new deductible must be paid. If you do not automatically get premium-free Medicare Part A, you may be able to buy it. For more information, visit or call Social Security at

6 Medicare Part B Medicare Part B is commonly known as medical insurance. It helps pay your doctors bills and certain other charges, such as surgical care, diagnostic tests and procedures, some hospital outpatient services, laboratory services, physical and occupational therapy, and durable medical equipment. It does not cover prescription drugs, dental care, physicals, or other services not related to treatment of illness or injury. The premium is automatically taken out of your Social Security check each month. Medicare Part C/Medicare Advantage Medicare Part C is the Medicare program more commonly known as Medicare Advantage that provides Medicare coverage through private insurance plans. Medicare Advantage plans provide the same coverage as Medicare and also provide supplemental health insurance coverage. You do not need to purchase a Medicare supplement policy if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. However, Medicare Advantage plans may include deductibles and copayment and/or coinsurance amounts (out-of-pocket expenses) that do not apply to Wisconsin standardized Medicare supplement policies. You may also have to see doctors that belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get services. Additional information regarding these plans is available in our booklet Medicare Advantage in Wisconsin. Medicare Part D/Prescription Drug Medicare Part D is the Medicare program to provide assistance for Medicare beneficiaries to pay for outpatient prescription drug costs. It is an optional program available to Medicare beneficiaries eligible for Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Medicare Part B. Additional information about Medicare Part D is included on pages 8-10 of this booklet. What Are Specific Limitations Under Medicare? Medicare was not designed to pay all your health care expenses. It does not cover long-term care expenses. Medicare provides limited coverage for skilled nursing care and for home health care. Medicare does not pay for personal care, such as eating, bathing, dressing, or getting into or out of bed. Most nursing home care is not covered by Medicare. Skilled Nursing Care Limitations Medicare pays limited benefits in a skilled nursing facility approved by Medicare if you need skilled nursing care as defined by Medicare. For more information, visit our Web site or contact OCI and request a copy of the booklet Guide to Long-Term Care. 6

7 Home Health Limitations Medicare pays limited benefits for home health care services that are considered medically necessary by Medicare. For more information, visit our Web site or contact OCI and request a copy of the booklet Guide to Long-Term Care. What Preventive Care Is Covered Under Medicare? Medicare helps cover some preventive care services to help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse. You may be required to pay a portion of the costs for these services. Your Medicare handbook provides more details regarding these costs. Information regarding Medicare preventive services is available in your Medicare & You booklet. What Is Meant by Out-of-Pocket Expenses? Out-of-pocket refers to costs, bills, fees, or expenses you will have to pay yourself. Out-of-pocket expenses occur when you receive a service not covered by Medicare. There are three types of out-of-pocket expenses. First, you will have to pay outof-pocket expenses to cover the Medicare deductibles and copayments. In other cases, you will have out-of-pocket expenses when you receive a service only partially covered by Medicare or when you choose a provider whose fees exceed Medicareapproved amounts. Finally, you may receive services not covered by Medicare; in those cases you will have to pay the entire cost of the services. There are insurance policies you can purchase that will cover some out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Medicare called supplement policies. Medicare supplement policies are described in the Individual Policy Options of this guide. What Does Accepting Assignment Mean? Sometimes a doctor or other provider accepts assignment. This means that the doctor or provider is paid directly by Medicare and accepts the Medicare-approved amount. A doctor or other provider who does not accept assignment can charge 15% over Medicare s approved amount. In this case, you are responsible not only for the usual cost-sharing of 20% of the approved charge for the service but also for 100% of the excess charges, which is the portion of the fee that exceeds the approved amount. 7

8 What is Medicare Part D? Medicare Part D is the program created by the federal Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 to provide some assistance for Medicare beneficiaries to pay for outpatient prescription drug costs. It is an optional program available to Medicare beneficiaries eligible for Medicare Part A and/or enrolled in Part B. Enrollment Medicare Part D includes an annual open enrollment period of October 15 through December 7, during which you can enroll or choose to change to another Prescription Drug Plan (PDP). Your coverage will begin on January 1 of the following year. Individuals not yet on Medicare will be able to join a PDP whenever they become eligible for Medicare. Enrollment in Medicare Part D is voluntary, and you are not required to participate. However, you may have to pay a penalty if you decide to sign up after your eligible enrollment period ends. Currently, the late enrollment penalty is equal to one percent of the base premium for every month that you waited to join. This penalty amount changes every year and you will have to pay it as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. Medicare Part D coverage is offered by approved PDPs. The PDP benefits are administered by private companies, some of which may be insurance companies. There are two types of Medicare prescription drug plans. One is a stand-alone PDP which offers only prescription drug coverage. The other is a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drugs (MA-PD) which provides all your Medicare-covered services and includes prescription drug coverage. The cost of your Medicare Part D coverage will vary based on the PDP that you choose. PDP plans may have deductible, coinsurance and copayment amounts (out-of-pocket expenses) that must be met before the PDP pays for your outpatient prescription drug costs. You should review your drug coverage during every annual open enrollment period to make sure you still have the best plan for your prescription drug needs. Premiums The cost of your Medicare Part D coverage will vary based on the PDP that you choose. If you are not eligible for low-income assistance (referred to as Limited 8

9 Income Subsidy), you will pay a monthly premium, an annual deductible, and a percentage of your drug costs. Your PDP will pay for your outpatient prescription drug expenses after you have met deductible and coinsurance amounts. Deductible and coinsurance amounts are those expenses you must pay out-of-pocket before Medicare Part D will pay any money for your outpatient prescription drugs. Coverage The prescription drugs covered by your PDP will vary based on the plan that you choose. If you enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, it is important that you understand that your PDP will pay for only those prescriptions in the PDP s formulary. A formulary is a list of specific drugs a Medicare PDP will cover. Only the cost of drugs covered by your PDP will count toward the deductible and outof-pocket limits. Outpatient prescription drug expenses not covered by the PDP or drugs covered by a drug discount card that you have will not count toward the out-of-pocket expense requirement of your PDP. The Donut Hole Medicare Part D PDPs have a coverage gap or donut hole. A coverage gap means that after you and your plan have spent a certain amount of money for covered drugs, you have to pay out-of-pocket all costs for your drugs while you are in the gap. If you reach the donut hole gap, you may get a 50% discount on brand name prescription drugs when you buy them. There will be additional savings in the donut hole gap each year through 2020 when the donut hole is closed completely. Out-of-Pocket Limit Once you have reached your plan s out-of-pocket limit, you will have catastrophic coverage. Catastrophic coverage assures that once you have reached your plan s out-of-pocket limit for covered drugs, you pay a smaller coinsurance amount or smaller copayment for the drug for the rest of the year. Extra Help for People with Limited Income and Resources If your income is low, you may qualify for Extra Help, also called Low Income Subsidy or LIS. This is a federal program that helps you pay for most of the costs of Medicare prescription drug coverage. If your income is below $17,505 ($23,595 for couples) and your resources are less than $13,440 ($26,860 for couples), you may qualify for Extra Help. The amount of assistance you qualify for will depend on your income. 9

10 You can apply for Extra Help to assist in paying for your Medicare prescription drug coverage through the Social Security Administration (SSA) by means of paper or online application. You can contact the SSA at or by phone at You also can apply for Extra Help at your local Medicaid office. Tips to Remember Participation in the Medicare Part D program is voluntary. However, if you do not enroll in a Part D plan when you are first eligible and you decide to join later, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty unless you have had creditable drug coverage. You do not have to pay an enrollment fee or pay for assistance to enroll in Medicare Part D. You will have to pay for Medicare Part D coverage, which may include monthly premiums and cost-sharing, such as annual deductibles, coinsurance and copayments. You may be eligible for help to pay for your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage based on your income. You do not have to enroll in Medicare Part D in order to keep your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. You do not have to buy any additional insurance products to be eligible to enroll in Medicare Part D and should be wary of any individual who uses a Part D sales pitch to sell other insurance products. Contacts Information regarding Medicare Part D can be obtained by contacting a prescription drug helpline listed on page 48 of this booklet. 10

11 Coverage Options Available When You Are Eligible for Medicare Finding the right coverage at an affordable price may be difficult as no one policy is right for everyone. Coverage options include: Group insurance, including Employer group plans Association group plans Individual Medicare supplement policies Individual Medicare cost-sharing policies Individual Medicare high-deductible policies Individual managed care Medicare supplement policies, including Medicare select policies Medicare cost policies Medicare Advantage, including Medicare managed care plans Medicare preferred provider organization plans (PPO) Medicare private fee-for-service plans (PFFS) There are many options available under employer groups, retirement groups, and voluntary association plans. This booklet focuses on the coverage options available under individual Medicare supplement insurance policies, Medicare select insurance policies, Medicare cost insurance policies, Medicare cost-sharing policies, Medicare high-deductible policies, and Medicare Advantage plans. Before you decide to purchase a policy to help fill Medicare gaps, you need to familiarize yourself with Medicare options, benefits, and rules. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which administers the Medicare Program, produces several guides, all of which are free and can be obtained by writing to CMS or contacting MEDICARE ( ) or www. medicare.gov. 11

12 What Are Wisconsin Mandated Benefits? Wisconsin insurance law requires that individual Medicare supplement policies, Medicare select policies, and some Medicare cost policies contain the following mandated benefits. These benefits are available even when Medicare does not cover these expenses. Medicare Advantage plans are NOT required to provide these benefits. Skilled Nursing Facilities Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies cover 30 days of skilled nursing care in a skilled nursing facility. The facility does not need to be certified by Medicare and the stay does not have to meet Medicare s definition of skilled care. No prior hospitalization may be required. The facility must be a licensed skilled care nursing facility. The care also must meet the insurance company s standards as medically necessary. Home Health Care Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies cover up to 40 home care visits per year in addition to those provided by Medicare if you qualify. Your doctor must certify that you would need to be in the hospital or a skilled nursing home if the home care was not available to you. Home nursing and medically necessary home health aide services are covered on a part-time or intermittent basis, along with physical, respiratory, occupational, or speech therapy. Medicare supplement insurance companies are required to offer coverage for 365 home health care visits in a policy year. Insurance companies may charge an additional premium for the additional coverage. Medicare provides coverage for all medically necessary home health visits. However, medically necessary is defined quite narrowly, and you must meet certain other criteria. Kidney Disease Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies cover inpatient and outpatient expense for dialysis, transplantation, or donor-related services of kidney disease up to $30,000 in any calendar year. Policies are not required to duplicate Medicare payments for kidney disease treatment. Diabetes Treatment Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies cover the usual and customary expenses incurred for the installation and use of an insulin infusion pump or other equipment or non-prescription supplies for the treatment of diabetes. Self-management services are also considered a covered expense. This benefit is available even if Medicare does not cover the claim. Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies issued prior to January 1, 2006, for individuals who do not enroll in Medicare Part D cover prescription medication, 12

13 insulin, and supplies associated with the injection of insulin. Prescription drug expenses are subject to the $6,250 deductible for drug charges. This deductible does not apply to insulin. Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies issued beginning January 1, 2006, do not cover prescription medication, insulin, and supplies associated with the injection of insulin as policies are prohibited from duplicating coverage available under Medicare Part D. Chiropractic Care Medigap policies cover the usual and customary expense for services provided by a chiropractor under the scope of the chiropractor s license. This benefit is available even if Medicare does not cover the claim. Hospital and Ambulatory Surgery Center Charges and Anesthetics for Dental Care Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies cover hospital or ambulatory surgery center charges incurred and anesthetics provided in conjunction with dental care for an individual with a chronic disability or an individual with a medical condition that requires hospitalization or general anesthesia for dental care. Breast Reconstruction Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies cover breast reconstruction of the affected tissue incident to a mastectomy. Colorectal Cancer Screening Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies issued or renewed after December 1, 2010, cover colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests. Coverage is subject to any cost-sharing provisions, limitations, or exclusions that apply to other coverage under the policy. Coverage of Certain Health Care Costs in Cancer Clinical Trials Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies issued or renewed beginning November 1, 2006, cover certain services, items, or drugs administered in cancer clinical trials in certain situations. The coverage is subject to all terms, conditions, and restrictions that apply to other coverage under the policy, including the treatment under the policy of services performed by participating and nonparticipating providers. Catastrophic Prescription Drugs Medicare supplement and Medicare select policies issued prior to January 1, 2006, to Medicare beneficiaries who do not enroll in Medicare Part D cover at least 80% of the charges for outpatient prescription drugs after a drug deductible of no more than $6,250 per calendar year. Medigap policies issued beginning January 1, 2006, and after will not include catastrophic prescription drug coverage as these policies are not allowed to duplicate benefits available under Medicare Part D. This coverage does not qualify as Medicare Part D creditable coverage. 13

14 Individual Policy Options Many insurance companies offer to individuals eligible for Medicare individual policies that supplement the benefits available under Medicare. These policies are referred to as Medicare supplement or Medigap policies. Common names for these policies include Medicare select or supplemental and Medigap policies. The federal government has expanded the options available to include managed care plans that require that you see only network providers to receive optimum benefits, and plans whereby the insurance company agrees to provide all Medicare benefits. What are Medicare Supplement Policies? Medicare supplement policies provide coverage for some of the costs not covered by Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare was never intended to pay 100% of your medical bills but instead was created to offset your most pressing medical expenses by providing a basic foundation of benefits. Thus, while it will pay a significant portion of your medical bills, Medicare does not cover all services that you might need. Even those services that are covered are not covered in full. Medicare requires that you pay deductibles and pays many Part B expenses at 80% of the Medicare-approved amount. Insurance companies sell policies that pay some of these expenses if you are enrolled in both Part A and Part B of Medicare. These policies are referred to as Medicare supplement or Medigap policies and provide a way to fill the coverage gaps left by Medicare. You are automatically eligible for individual Medigap coverage for six months starting with the first day you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, regardless of your health history. Outline of Coverage The Outline of Coverage is a summary of benefits for Medicare Parts A and B and the benefits provided by the Medigap policy. The outline includes a chart showing the expenses that are both covered and not covered by either Medicare or the Medigap policy. An agent or insurance company must give you an Outline of Coverage when selling you a new policy or replacing one you already own. Medicare Supplement Policies Individual Medicare supplement policies are designed to supplement the benefits available under the original Medicare program. Medicare supplement policies pay the 20% of Medicare-approved charges that Medicare does not pay. These Medicare 14

15 supplement policies do not restrict your ability to receive services from the doctor of your choice. However, these policies may require that you submit your claim to the insurance company for payment. Individual Medicare supplement policies include a basic core of benefits. In addition to the basic benefits, Medicare supplement insurance companies offer specified optional benefits. Each of the options that an insurance company offers must be priced and sold separately from the basic policy. Some insurance companies offer Medicare supplement or Medicare select costsharing policies. These plans require that you pay a portion of the costs for Medicarecovered services until you reach an out-of-pocket limit. For 2015, the out-of-pocket limit for 25% cost-sharing plans is $2,470, and the out-of-pocket limit for 50% cost-sharing plans is $4,940. The out-of-pocket limits for Medicare supplement or Medicare select cost-sharing policies are updated each year and are based on estimates of the United States Per Capita Costs (USPCC) of the Medicare program published by CMS. Medicare Select Policies Medicare select policies are supplemental policies that pay benefits only if covered services are obtained through network medical providers selected by the insurance company or health maintenance organization (HMO). Each insurance company that offers a Medicare select policy contracts with its own network of doctors or other providers to provide services. Each of these insurance companies has a provider directory that lists the doctors and other providers with whom they have contracts. If you buy a Medicare select policy, each time you receive covered services from a plan provider, Medicare pays its share of the approved charges and the insurance company pays the full supplemental benefits provided for in the policy. Medicare select insurers must pay supplemental benefits for emergency health care furnished by providers outside the plan provider network. In general, Medicare select policies will deny payment or pay less than the full benefit if you go outside the network for nonemergency services. However, this will not impact Medicare payments. Medicare still pays its share of approved charges if the services you receive outside the network are services covered by Medicare. 15

16 Medicare Cost Policies Medicare cost policies are offered by certain HMOs that have entered into a special arrangement with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Insurers that market Medicare cost policies offer both basic Medicare cost policies and enhanced Medicare cost policies. The basic Medicare cost policies supplement only those benefits covered by Medicare and do not provide the benefits mandated under Wisconsin insurance law. You must live in the plan s geographic service area to apply for Medicare cost insurance. The HMO plan doctors or other providers are selected by the HMO. The HMOs agree to provide Medicare benefits and may provide additional benefits at additional cost. Medicare cost insurance will only pay full supplemental benefits if covered services are obtained through HMO plan doctors or other providers, called the plan s network. If you purchase a Medicare cost policy, Medicare pays its share of approved charges if you receive services from outside the plan s network area. If you go to a doctor or other provider who does not belong to your HMO without a referral from your HMO doctor, you will pay for all Medicare deductibles and copayments. The HMO will not provide supplemental benefits. Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C) Medicare Advantage plans are offered by certain HMOs and insurance companies that have entered into special arrangements with the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Under these arrangements the federal government pays the HMO or insurance company a set amount for each Medicare enrollee. The HMO or insurance company agrees to provide Medicare benefits and may provide some additional benefits, which may be at an additional cost. It is important to note that your Medicare Advantage plan can terminate at the end of the contract year if either the plan or CMS decides to terminate their agreement. Medicare Advantage plans may include deductibles and copayment/coinsurance amounts (out-of-pocket expenses) that do not apply to Wisconsin standardized Medicare supplement policies. Medicare Advantage plans are not regulated by the State of Wisconsin, Office of the Commissioner of Insurance. Therefore, these plans are NOT required to cover Wisconsin mandated benefits, nor are the plans guaranteed renewable for life like Medicare supplement policies. Information regarding benefits mandated by Wisconsin 16

17 insurance laws is available on pages of this booklet or by contacting OCI at oci.wi.gov or the phone numbers listed on page 47 of this booklet. You can obtain more information by requesting a copy of OCI s booklet Medicare Advantage in Wisconsin. You may also call CMS at MEDICARE ( ) or (312) for information. Medicare Advantage Health Maintenance Organization Plans If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through a health maintenance organization (HMO) that has contracted with CMS, you are required to seek care from plan providers. This means that, except for emergency or urgent care situations away from home, you must receive all services from HMO-contracted medical providers. If you go to a doctor or other provider who does not have a contract with your HMO without a referral from your doctor, you will be responsible for the entire cost of the services you receive, including Medicare costs. To be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan through an HMO, you must live in the HMO s geographic service area. Medicare Advantage Preferred Provider Organization Plans If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through a preferred provider organization plan (PPO), in order to receive full coverage under the PPO option, you must receive all services, except for emergency or urgent care situations away from home, from plan providers. You may also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through an insurance company with a preferred provider organization plan that has entered into a contract with CMS. However, you may receive services from providers outside the plan at an additional cost. Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Plans Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans differ from Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans because they allow you to go to any doctor, hospital, or health care provider that agrees to accept the PFFS plan s terms of payment. PFFS plans do not have contracts with doctors, hospitals, or health care providers. You do not have to obtain a referral from the plan to go to a doctor, hospital, or specialist of your choice. However, it is your responsibility to verify that the doctor or other provider is willing to accept the PFFS plan s payment terms. Doctors and other providers can stop accepting the Medicare Advantage PFFS plan s terms and reimbursement rates at any time they choose. 17

18 Group Insurance Options If you are covered under an employer group plan, you may still be eligible for coverage after you reach age 65 either as an active employee or as a retiree. You may also be eligible to purchase coverage through a voluntary association. Employer Group Plans If you are currently covered under an employer s group insurance plan, you should determine whether you have the option of continuing coverage or converting to suitable coverage to supplement Medicare before you decide to retire, become eligible for Medicare, or reach age 65. State and federal laws require many employers to offer continued health insurance benefits for a limited period of time if your group coverage ends because of divorce, death of a spouse, or termination of employment for reasons other than discharge for misconduct. You should check with your employer for more information. You should submit a written request to your insurance company regarding the benefits you will have under the group insurance policy after you or your spouse become eligible for Medicare. If either you or your spouse plan to continue working after age 65, you need to take extra care in making insurance decisions. Your group insurance plan may not provide the same coverage you received prior to your 65 th birthday. Employer Plans Federal law determines when Medicare is the primary payer and when it is the secondary payer. This determination is based on whether you are defined as the employee or dependent under the group insurance policy and on whether the group insurance policy is offered by an employer with 20 or more employees. In some cases, your employer may offer a supplement to Medicare through a group retiree plan. Employers With 20 or More Employees If you continue to work past age 65 and your employer has at least 20 employees, your group plan will be the primary payer over Medicare. If you are 65, retired, covered under your employed spouse s group plan, and your spouse s employer has at least 20 employees, the group plan will be the primary payer. 18

19 Employers With Less Than 20 Employees If you continue to work past age 65 but your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare is the primary payer and your group policy is the secondary payer. If you don t enroll in Medicare Part B, your group policy may pay only the 20% and you will be responsible for paying the 80%. This is because your group policy may calculate its benefit payment as if you were covered by Medicare regardless of whether you sign up for Medicare Part B. If your spouse is covered under your employer s plan and becomes eligible for Medicare because of disability or retirement, your group policy may change to paying only 20% because Medicare is primary as soon as your spouse becomes eligible for Medicare. You should contact your local Social Security office for the publication Medicare and Other Health Benefits: Your Guide to Who Pays First. You may view this publication online at and key in the title of the publication. Remember: Employer group coverage is often available regardless of your health and usually does not include any waiting periods for preexisting conditions. COBRA Coverage The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is the law that allows some people to keep their group health coverage for a limited period of time after they leave their employment. However, there are important time frames that affect COBRA coverage when you are eligible for Medicare and Medicare supplement policies. Special Enrollment If you didn t take Medicare Part B when you were first eligible because you or your spouse were working and had group health plan coverage through your or your spouse s employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period. You can sign up anytime you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse s current or active employment, during the eight months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first). If you are age 65 or older and are covered under COBRA, your employer group health plan may require you to sign up for Medicare Part B. The best time to sign up for Medicare Part B is before your employment ends or you lose your employer s coverage. If you wait to sign up for Medicare Part B during the eight months after your employment or coverage ends, your employer may make you pay for services that Medicare would have paid for if you had signed up earlier. 19

20 If you have COBRA coverage when you first enroll in Medicare, your COBRA coverage may end. Your employer has the option of canceling your COBRA coverage if your first Medicare enrollment is after the date you elected COBRA coverage. Additional information regarding COBRA coverage and Medicare Part B is available in the booklet Medicare & You, available at your Social Security office or go to the Medicare Web site Voluntary Association Plans If you do not have adequate group insurance, you may want to apply for a voluntary association plan. Many associations offer group health insurance coverage to their members. Association plans are not necessarily less expensive than comparable coverage under an individual policy. Be sure you understand the benefits included and then compare prices. Association groups that offer Medicare supplement insurance must comply with the same rules that apply to other Medicare supplement policies. 20

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